Why I Chose Oncology: Dr. David Gottlieb

When he was a student at Albany Medical College, Dr. David Gottlieb selected a rotation in oncology, expecting to be surrounded by sadness, that there he would “face his fears.” He found the opposite to be true. And today he is animated with joy as he shares stories of patients who have emerged from treatment free of cancer. The difference between then and now underscores Dr. Gottlieb’s deep gratitude that he chose a career in medical oncology and hematology. 

“It feels like my patients and I are on the same team, battling a common enemy,” he says. “I love the long-term relationship we develop. I see them more often and really get to know them, often for years.” 

Dr. Gottlieb also finds the pace of improvement in oncology to be both an inspiration and a challenge. “The science is exploding! We are a long way from any single cure, but in many cases, there are new treatments that have better efficacy and fewer toxic side effects,” he explains. “A lot of cancers that were devastating a few years ago are now often manageable, and sometimes there is no evidence of disease at all.” If keeping up with advances in oncology is daunting, it is a challenge he gladly embraces. 

GBMC’s robust Clinical Trials Research program – the largest to be based in a community hospital in Maryland – is another inspiration for Dr. Gottlieb. “It’s uplifting, like being an expert guide on the patient’s journey of treatment,” he says. “Sometimes we can find a cure or a deep durable response where that had never been an option before.”